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- The Daily Brief: Reality Star Spars with Politicians, Pat Riley to Receive Crypto Arena Statue, and more.
The Daily Brief: Reality Star Spars with Politicians, Pat Riley to Receive Crypto Arena Statue, and more.
Your daily update is here.
Good Afternoon! It’s Monday, August 18.
Sunny skies were seen across Los Angeles on Monday with temperatures peaking at a high of 84°. We will have very similar weather as we head into Tuesday, with more sun and an identical high of 84° forecast.
Reality Star Spencer Pratt Turns Wildfire Grief Into a Feud With Governor Newsom
After losing his Pacific Palisades home in the recent wildfires, former Hills star Spencer Pratt has launched a very public online battle with Governor Gavin Newsom. What began as criticism over a housing bill and a dismissive “C-list reality star” jab from Newsom’s press office has spiraled into a social media spectacle—part political dispute, part reality show. As Pratt questions the state’s response to fire victims and FireAid funding, fans are now urging him to make the leap from reality TV to the governor’s race.

Spike Lee and Sports Legends Help Pump Foundation Raise $2.8M for Cancer
The Harold and Carole Pump Foundation marked its 25th anniversary with a star-studded Beverly Hills gala that raised more than $2.8 million for cancer treatment and research. Spike Lee, Magic Johnson, Mike Tyson, Doc Gooden, and other icons from the sports and entertainment worlds gathered to honor the Pump brothers’ mission of carrying on their parents’ legacy, while Lifetime Achievement Awards went to Lee, Wayne Gretzky, Aaron Donald, and Barry Bonds.
“Ketamine Queen” Pleads Guilty in Matthew Perry Drug Case
Jasveen Sangha, a North Hollywood woman known as the “Ketamine Queen,” has pleaded guilty to federal charges tied to Matthew Perry’s 2023 death. Prosecutors say Sangha supplied the actor with dozens of vials of ketamine through a network of enablers, all of whom have now admitted guilt. Facing up to 45 years in prison, Sangha is the final defendant to be convicted in the high-profile case.
Stetson Bennett Leads Rams to Stunning Preseason Comeback
The Rams thrilled fans at SoFi Stadium with a 23-22 preseason victory over the Chargers, capped by Stetson Bennett’s late-game heroics. The dramatic win not only showcased Bennett’s poise under pressure but also hinted at the team’s potential heading into the regular season, bolstered by Matthew Stafford’s return to practice.
Pat Riley to Be Honored With Statue at Crypto.com Arena
The Lakers will unveil a statue of Pat Riley—the architect of the Showtime era—outside Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 22, 2026, before their game against the Celtics. Riley coached Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and James Worthy to four championships in the 1980s, cementing the Lakers as the NBA’s brightest spectacle. The tribute places him alongside Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, and other legends in Star Plaza, celebrating a legacy that forever changed Los Angeles basketball.

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